RECENTLY, the High Plains Daily Leader newspaper in Liberal ran an interesting column explaining why they are letting a left-wing columnist grace their editorial page once a week. They even had a unique formula to help justify their case.
This column (printed below) made me reflect on our editorial page and question if we were reflecting the values of our community. Or does the community perceive that Gazette staffers are just reflecting their personal opinions and beliefs with columnists on the page and not representing the community? So what do you think? Are the national writers too conservative or liberal for our community? Do you think the columnists reflect the Republican, Democrat, Liberal percentages in our community? Send me your thoughts. Letters to the Editor can be sent to 517 Merchant, Emporia, KS 66801, e-mailed to newsroom@emporiagazette.com or you can post your comments online.
Thank you in advance.
Why Publish?
Several readers have relayed concerns that the Daily Leader has started publishing columns by Susan Estrich, a left-leaning columnist to some, a staunch preservationist of Democratic values to others. This column is our explanation of “Why?”
One of the things Earl Watt and I agreed upon when he hired me as a reporter more than eight years ago, was that community newspapers should reflect the values of their community — not define those values. Many newspapers across Kansas and the nation believe it’s their duty to define values and issues for their readers. As if their readers are dolts who don’t know what is good for them or don’t know what their beliefs or spiritual values are.
Look at the Kansas City Star and the Wichita Eagle — they both endorsed Barack Obama for president. They both know they have a captive readership and captive advertisers because of their sizes. Both did not reflect the values of Kansans. Obama got thrashed by Kansas voters, regardless, getting only 42 percent of the vote. McCain captured 52 percent.
Another example is the former owner-publisher of the newspaper that was printed in Crawford, Texas. He endorsed John Kerry four years ago on his editorial pages. The people of Crawford, home to the Bush’s ranch, put him out of business.
Watt and I will always put the values of the collective community above our own personal wants or needs. Yet, we will also always give people with differing views and thoughts their time to argue, refute, disagree or pronounce their values — just as we cover both sides of issues on our news pages. Thus we will give our fellow citizens someone who shares a lot of their views. We think it’s important to publish a liberal column once a week.
Notice it’s once a week.
We have five to seven conservative columnists available to us weekly. We publish an Opinion Page five times a week. Here’s the math.
One in five registered voters in Seward County are Democrats. The rest are Republicans or Independents. So, 20 percent of our community cannot be ignored, and we would never do that. But we also realize a lot of our Democrat friends have more conservative values than say some San Francisco liberals. In our opinion, Susan Estrich gives her opinions in a thoughtful way, that challenges people to see her views — rather than a shrill leftist who has no tolerance for other views whatsoever.
One day of Susan Estrich out of five days equals 20 percent. This may not be enough for some of the Liberals, and may be too much for some Conservatives. But we want our readers to understand “Why?”
We’re doing this for everyone in our community. It’s not for us, that’s not what this daily newspaper is about. It’s about providing as many services as possible for our readers.
Since we published our first edition May 4, we’ve listened to you. We’ve brought you comics and TV listings, daily obituaries and puzzles, local and national sports and syndicated columnists, classifieds and Dr. Joyce Brothers, daily grain markets and weather, horoscopes and Hints from Heloise, local and national news through AP stories and high resolution photographs — from Kansas, the world and outer space — every day six days a week. That’s what the staff at the Daily Leader is dedicated to — you, our readers.
It’s all about you.
P.S. If Estrich writes something you don’t like — write a letter to editor. It’s your page!
Comments
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Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on February 24, 2009 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's a great idea. I, for one, like to hear both sides. As was stated in the article: "gives her opinions in a thoughtful way, that challenges people to see her views — rather than a shrill leftist who has no tolerance for other views whatsoever."
We see enough of that on a regular basis - those on the right need to recognize and allow thoughful, well-put opinions and discussions from the left - lest they end up being the same type of intolerant nuts (who at the same time claim to be "tolerant") that we see so much of on the far left.
Great idea. Maybe the Gazette could print an opinion piece once a week from a conservative? Or at the very least, an impartial fact-check column, exposing things like the "planted" story about Palin not knowing if Africa was a continent, etc.... so when certain Gazette editorial writers write scathing articles about that, or the "kill him" that was supposedly shouted at a McCain rally, once they are exposed as hoaxes, the readers here could be better informed. Because it seems we never see a retraction or correction on those stories here....
Posted by create (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I too like the idea of balance. If you're in the business of selling newspapers, balance should be one of the first elements you seek to provide. After all, if everyone in the community was one party, what a boring place it would be. Both sides should be offered, but nothing too far left or right please. There may be a few of those wing nuts in this community, but not many.
Finally, if 42 percent voted for Obama, that's a pretty good chunk of the population that would read something that leans to the liberal side. Just as long as it's thoughtful and not piercing and inflammatory.
Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What I would like to see, more than anything, by BOTH sides, is more of an adherance to the truth.
And, of course, for donkeys to fly (since there's about the same chance of both) - LOL
Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since McCain got 52 percent, maybe the Gazette could devote 1 day a week (20 percent) to a more conservative columnist? Or is that too much to ask? Who knows.... might even help your circulation......
Posted by Observation (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe you could run one of your un-scientific polls to determine which available column writers people in the area would like to read in the Gazette. Fox News is successful because of their Fair and Balanced political coverage. I bet the Gazette could offer up a right wing writer to counter the left wing Esstrich. I am sure that there are some good conservative writers out there. The Gazette has taken a left wing stance for the past several years. Any positive right wing articles would be appreciated by some of us. Once a month even.
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the best conservative writers in the state lives right here in Emporia, but The Gazette couldn't afford me.
Posted by shoehorn (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would it be possible to have some kind of forum? From the left and From the right? Select a topic, solicit opinions and publish both (at least 2) sides of the issue.
Posted by create (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shoehorn, Isn't that what happens here? LOL
Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bjnemp, renounce your American citizenship & apply as an illegal, you'll probably get hired on the spot.
Posted by trbluma (anonymous) on February 25, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't remember the last time you printed anything but a liberal point of view from a national news service. If you have to ask then you don't have a clue. I've said it before and I'll say it again, YOU ARE OUT OF TOUCH.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on February 26, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wouldn't think Pitts out of Miami reflects your readership, nor the obnoxious leftist loon from back East that lost her main subject when GW left Washington. Your paper has leaned toward the liberal side for years, just like the other 95% of the media.
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